Paul Merson has given his verdict on Liverpool central defender Virgil van Dijk and has noted one aspect of his game that is simple but effective.
The former Arsenal star and Sky Sports pundit has been hugely impressed by Virgil van Dijk and has noted how good the Liverpool central defender was against Premier League rivals Chelsea in the final of the Carabao Cup.
Paul Merson has said that the Dutchman has the fear-factor which stops opposition players from taking him on.
The pundit has also said that Van Dijk does not take unnecessary risks. Merson has observed that the £220,000-a-week (Spotrac) defender often just kicks the ball away when he is under pressure.
Paul Merson and Michael Dawson comment on Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk
Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Michael Dawson thinks that Van Dijk is the best defender in the Premier League era, but Merson believes that he has to do well against Manchester City striker Erling Haaland to be mentioned in that bracket.
Merson said about Van Dijk on Sky Sports: “His test is going to be against Haaland when they play Haaland. That’s his test.”
The Sky Sports pundit added: “He has that respect, he has that fear-factor. I see people get the ball and get out with him, and they think, ‘Oh, it’s Van Dijk’. So, they kick the ball against him or they pass it.
“I will tell you what is great about him, and every kid should watch it. The amount of times that the ball went down the channel and he is running back, he just kicks it out of play.
“He doesn’t mess about. He just does his job. He kicks it out of play, gets back into position, he never takes those chances anymore.
Dawson said about Van Dijk: “He is the best, he is the best because he has got everything. He has got pace, he has got calmness, he has got the aerial duel, he controls players in front of him.”
My View: Virgil van Dijk has been key to Liverpool’s success
Liverpool have been hugely successful under manager Jurgen Klopp, and one of the main players over the years has been Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk has transformed Liverpool at the back. The Netherlands international centre-back is a very calm presence and is a leader.
Liverpool have won the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League under Klopp, and I do not think that they would have done so without Van Dijk in the team.
The defender has made 253 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career. He has scored 22 goals, given seven assists and kept 101 clean sheets in those games.
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